Deadly Tornadoes In North Dakota – I will Never Forget One!

With the summer season here, it also brings tornado season. Some severe tornado's have hit North Dakota in the past but there is one I will never forget- July 4th, 1978- The tornado that struck my hometown of Elgin!

I may have been only 7 years old, but I have many memories from that day. It was the 4th of July and being "farm kids" were running around blowing off fireworks everywhere! I remember how hot it was...later in the afternoon  the wind picked up suddenly and my dad yelled at me and my brother to go to the root cellar...they handed me my baby nephew and we headed in the house while my parents and my older siblings stayed outside watching the tornado hit Elgin...We live 7 miles outside of town and they told me later that they saw everything....5 people were killed, many homes and city structures were destroyed and - thank god my grandparents were OK! It is horrifying what has  happened in Oklahoma recently.....but I want to remind you that it can happen here too - so make sure you have a plan prepared in case of a tornado in your area!